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Post by simon0867 on Jul 31, 2015 20:49:06 GMT
Up early tomorrow morning and off on the train to Dunfermline for my CBT.
Checked my old diaries tonight and it's almost exactly eight years since I last sat one, this will be my fourth all together. Don't think there have been any major changes to the course so hopefully all will be fine.
My main memories from last time are trying to wrestle with a geared bike for an hour (certainly won't be doing that again), those bloody traffic cones, and trying to follow instructions over a crackly headset radio link.
All being well this will be my last CBT. Planning to do my A1 test next Spring.
Decided on A1 as I don't have any real desire for anything over a 125cc and I can do the test on my own bike. A2 or direct access and I'd have to master gears which would be costly in terms of training.
Anyway lets get tomorrow out of the way first, wish me luck !!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2015 22:13:59 GMT
I am completely confused when it comes to bike tests! A1, does that mean you can use a 125 bike or scooter with CVT and if you pass ride without L plates? I know some things seem to be age dependent! Have good day tomorrow mate!
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Post by simon0867 on Aug 1, 2015 4:40:44 GMT
It certainly is confusing !! If I'm right an A1 allows you to ride a bike up to 125cc, you can take a passenger and there are no L plates or further CBT's etc. If you take the test on an automatic then you may be restricted to them but that's no problem as I've no interest in geared bikes anyway. The big benefit is that I can do the test on my own scoot. Anything above A1 and you have to take the test on a more powerful machine. As motorcycle training centres do not use larger capacity scooters I'd have to learn on a geared bike which in terms of training time would make the whole thing far more expensive. The various age restrictions apply to young bucks not old codgers like me who frankly should know better anyway...  |
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Post by simon0867 on Aug 1, 2015 20:03:08 GMT
Well home safe and sound - job done. I think that was my favourite CBT of the 4 I've done.
It's a really friendly place with plenty of good natured banter. The instructor was excellent and didn't look down his nose at anyone on a scooter, in fact he recommended them as a ideal way of getting about on two wheels.
I was a given a 125cc scoot to do the day on, and guess what, it was a Sym Jet 4, so I felt quite at home ! I'd forgotten how nippy a 125 can be so it took me a few minutes to get used to the extra speed after my wee Orbit. What a difference those extra cc's make though, certainly backed up my decision to return to something bigger.
There were three other candidates.
An intelligent young lad who'd never been on a bike in his life but took to gears like a duck to water, very impressed with him.
There was a 40 year old lady who had been given a cheapy Chinese 50cc for her birthday as her family wanted to get her off her bicycle. She was given a Sym 50cc to train on. Took a bit of time to get used to it but passed at the end of the day.
One other candidate turned up late and frankly I've never seen anything like this in my life. He was 60 years old, must have been at least 25 stone, could only just walk with a stick, suffered from sleep apnea and spent most of his time slumped over the controls trying to get his bike to move. Incredibly he had bought himself a brand new Honda MSX 125 which looks a bit like a small scrambler. A more unsuitable rider on a more unsuitable bike would be hard to find. After a couple of hours the instructor sent him home in a taxi basically saying he'd never sign anything that would allow him on the road. I guess there will be an MSX 125 for sale soon in the local Fife papers.
Anyway all in all a very good and enjoyable day. I can thoroughly recommend Dunfermline Motorcycle Training to anyone, and I have that all important piece of paper safely home, will be picking up my PCX on Tuesday.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2015 21:23:24 GMT
Two things, firstly, well done on your CBT. Glad to hear it was a good day. Secondly, you will need to change your avatar to something else or are you going to keep it as a memorial to a fine wee scooter and friend? Oh and PS, if you do get your PCX how about a cup of coffee sometime in South Queensferry. Your choice of venue. No excuse about lack of cc's.  |
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Post by simon0867 on Aug 1, 2015 22:42:52 GMT
Thanks sixpence, apart from being really crap at U turns it was a successful day and it does refresh your memory and steer you away from some of those bad habits that have crept in.
I'm not sure what to do with my avatar. I've joined a PCX forum so have a small picture of the new bike on that, but I might just keep the wee Orbit on here for the time being, a bit of nostalgia.
South Queensferry for a cup of tea sounds excellent. It's a run I want to do as I can compare experiences directly with the Sym, it should be a far more enjoyable jaunt on the Honda. Crossed the Rail Bridge in the early sunshine this morning and both sides of the Forth looked beautiful.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 14:58:54 GMT
Glad it all went well mate. Not long until you're Hondaing about the Scottish countryside! All those cc's you won't know yourself. Hope to get a video of one of your jaunts mate. Pleased you are remaining an honoury Symite, we have been treated to some great posts and look forward to many more. I know we have not met but it feels like I've known many of my Symite friends for ages and I always refer to you all as "my mates on the Scooter Forum". Brings a smile to Mrs and Baby Jenksy when I'm Sym Foruming away! It's about the most modern thing I do! Aren't you the lucky one as well mate seeing the sun this summer! Mind you its not been to bad this year I suppose but its been pretty chilly. Says a lot for Syms if they use them for training, they don't want scooters that break down every 5 minutes. Anyway have fun mate and keep us posted on the Honda front!
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Post by simon0867 on Aug 2, 2015 18:22:58 GMT
Thanks Jenksy, this is such a friendly little forum that I'd miss catching up with everyones adventures.
Will certainly be filming some PCX runs, just got to work out where to mount the camera, could put it on my helmet of course.
I'd recommend a Sym to anyone, Taiwanese scoots in general seem excellent. My first 125 was an Adly and that was a great wee bike too.
Anyway, new scoot on Tuesday, prepare to be bored to death with photos !!
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